Forum Flash | Another Todd Akin moment

Geraldo Rivera didn't find much in Al Capone's vault, but politically inclined miners continue to find the mother lode in video footage of U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican who is running for the Missouri Senate seat held by incumbent Claire McCaskill.

Of course, Mr. Akin is the fellow who caused such a sensation talking about "legitimate rape" and insisted that magic lady parts could shut down unwanted pregnancy. And then he stirred another dust-up by saying his opponent wasn't very "ladylike" in their debate last month, not last century. Yes, we've plowed that field in previous Forum Flashes.

But he made news again this week when the Slate website found even more out-there comments made by the politician. (You can go to slate.com and search for the actual video clips.) A 2005 speech about stem cell research refers to embryos and their "food and climate control" - apparently that's what women are good for. And in a 2008 speech about abortion, he talks about abortion doctors who perform procedures on women who aren't actually pregnant to generate some cash. He apparently got this claim from someone who used to work for Planned Parenthood and has become an anti-abortion activist.

Unfortunately, these sorts of comments have come to be expected from Mr. Akin who could conceivably - if you'll pardon that expression - become a U.S. senator.

Louisville, Kentucky • Southern Indiana

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Forum Flash | Another Todd Akin moment

Geraldo Rivera didn't find much in Al Capone's vault, but politically inclined miners continue to find the mother lode in video footage of U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican who is running for the